Wire-stretcher



UNITED STATES PATENT EEIcE.

MORGAN MORGAN, OF FOXBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

WIRE-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 562,015, dated June 16, 1896.

Application filed March 6, 1896. Serial No. 582,085. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, MORGAN MORGAN, residing at Foxburg, in the county of Clarion and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improved Wire-Stretcher, ot' which the following is a speciiica-tion.

This invention is an improved wire-stretching machine adapted for use in building Wire felices either of the simple or barbed wire type.

The object of my invention is to provide an exceedingly cheap, simple, and efficient device, one in which the pull will be centralthat is, in direct line between the two posts.

Another object is to provide a stretcher which shall be composed of a number of easily-assembled parts, so that in case any part of the lnachine should become broken said part can be removed, repaired, or replaced,

thus preventing the demolishment of the entire device by breaking a single part, as is the case with wire-stretchers now in use in which intricate castings are employed.

Another object is to provide an improved form of gripping-tool which will stand any amount of strain Without breaking any of the parts.

Another object is to provide a stretchingmachine which can be operated upon either the right or left hand side of the fence, and one which can be operated by'either one or two men, as desired.

IVith these various Objects in View my invention consists in the peculiar construction ot the various parts and in their novel combination or arrangement, all of which are shown in the drawings, fully set forth in the description, and designated in the appended claim. Y 1

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure l. is a view showing my invention in use. Fig. 2 is a top plan View. Fig. 3 is a view showing the several parts of the stretcher detached. Fig. 4 is a similar View showing the parts ofthe gripping-tool detached.

In carrying out my invention I employ a yoke or frame A, composed of two similar pieces c, preferably of wrought-iron, said4 pieces dbeing parallel for the greater portion of their length, as shown at d', then bent inward toward each other, as at a2, and securely bolted to each other at their rear ends `upon whichlis mounted a ratchet-wheel F,

and beyond each shoulder 'e2 is arranged a square end e3, upon which are mounted the cranks G, by means of which the windingshatt is rotated. A locking-pawl I-I is pivoted upon the outer side of each member ci and adapted to engage the ratchet-wheel F, therevby preventing any backward movement of the winding-shaft.

The drawing rope or chain I is attached to the winding shaft or drum E by means of an eyebolt k and nut lo', said bolt passing transversely through the shaft and secured therein by means of the nut 7c', the drawing rope or chain being attached to the eye la, as most clearly shown in Fig. 2. Y

The drawing-rope I is connected to a ring L, which in turn is connected with the gripping-tool M, said gripping-tool comprising the side members m and m' and the grippinglever m2, pivotally mounted between said side members upon a bolt m3, passing through said side members and lever, the forward end of said lever having a cam-shaped head m4, the under side of which is serrated and adapt-- ed to bind the wire N against a bearing-block m5, integral with the side member m., the npper face ot' said bearing-block being slightly concave to form a better lock in connect-ion with the cam-shaped head of the lever. The side members m and m' are bolted together at their rear ends, and at the forward end the member fm is formed with a space-block m6, which holds the side members the proper distance apart and also serves to guide the wire upon the bearing-block m5 and beneath the head m4.

Now in operation the gripping-tool is connected with the winding shaft or drum by means of the drawing rope or chain I by means of the eyebolt and nut. The stretcher is then connected to the post D by means of the chain O, and the wire to be stretched is IOO then placed in the gripping-tool and the lever thrown back to tightly grip said Wire, and, if desired, a suitable chain or rope may be attached to the free end of the lever. The Wire being new securely gripped in the tool M, the handles G are turned, rotating the Winding shaft or drum E, winding the draw rope or chain I thereon, and stretching the Wire to the desired extent.

By means of a Wire-streteher constructed as described I am enabled to obtain a direct or central pull between the posts, and, furthermore, am enabled to obtain a powerful leverage and pull upon the Wire. The locking-pawl engages the ratchet-Wheel at each side of. the Winding shaft er drum, and thus prevents any possible backward movement of the Winding shaft or drum. After the Wire has been stretched and secured the gripping-lever is thrown forward to release the Wire. The loeking-pawls are also thrown back, releasing the Winding-shaft. Another Wire to be stretched is then inserted in the gripping-tool,the gripping1ever thrownbaek,

` and m', of the grip-leveren?, having),` teeth in,

the member m, having the bottoni space block m5, and the front space-block m", and

l the pivotal connecting-bolt, all arranged substantially as shown and described.

MORGAN MORGAN. Witnesses:

J'osIAi-I FILLMAN, LEMUEL COLLINS. 

